Synopsis

A man trapped on a raft in the middle of the ocean is in desperate need of water. Luckily for him, a few drops of rain water are about to fall from the raft's mast. Comedy ensues as the thirsty man attempts to drink the few small drops of water.

Early animation in America started with Looney Toons and Disney. Disney had a series of early silent cartoons set to music where mickey mouse was a captain of a steam boat. This anime is exactly like that. Every form of animation has it's start, so this film is great to learn how vast different current anime is today. Just like comparing early Disney films to current ones.

The anime's story may seem odd to some but it is in fact an abstract film. Simply meaning it has no dialogue and relys on imagery alone for the plot. It depicts what
man will do at any costs for water through slap stick humor mimicking American cartoons style of that time period. Okay so that description alone may seem pretty boring but if you're an art enthusiast you may enjoy seeing a different form of story telling with no dialogue.

So if you'd like to see one of the early forms of what anime originated from I encourage you to watch. But in all fair warning this film is more to be appreciated as history/ an art form rather than just for entertainment sake. Don't get me wrong it is pretty fun to watch but if you rather prefer anime with bishies and shojo .... this probably won't be your thing. But if you're like me and enjoy memorabilia from the 60's and 1950s cartoons this is a great.

The story is simple, it is of a man trying to gain a drop of water through comical slapstick. So, as to rate this, I must look to the comedy and think of how good it is and that is, of course, relative. In my opinion it is not that funny at all.

On the flip side, it also shows his descent into madness as he runs out of water. How it is shown visually, I can comment that the pursuit is shown very well. However, I cannot fathom some of the occurrences that occur in what was seemingly a hallucination.

Ergo, it was not
that interesting in terms of story.

Art - 5

The lack of colour to show the bleak world (as well as it likely being a constraint of the medium of the time) is marvellous. The background is strangely surreal, fitting for the short. The character feels somewhat comical which aligns with the style.

Sadly, it just feels so basic. Like there was not much effort induced in this piece. Ergo, a 5. A good concept, but not the best execution.

Sound - 1

It is a silent film, so has music running only. This music does not fit to the animation in my eyes so is not deserving of anything more.

Character - 2

The character simply has no exposition, however there are hints to his nature. The shoe he wears is nailed, so likely leather. As a result he's a businessman going insane.